The First Vision that Joseph's Family & Friends appear to be Unaware of.
,
Does The First Vision survive the fact-checking of LDS history?
Let's see.
When we review Joseph Smith's statements
or those of his family and Associates,
We find known recorded events which we can fact check as a gauge of his honesty, accuracy and consistency, such as the death of his brother Alvin in late 1823, which in fact was the impetus for the Smith Family search for solace in Religion, entering the time period of the well documented Christian revivals which were held in the Manchester & Palmyra area, as published in their local newspapers for the years 1824 + 1825, which unlike the years intervening between the 1816 & 1817 revivals, showed historical fingerprints in the local newspapers & other publications as well as consistency in the corresponding expected increases in membership associated with these revivals in the various local denominations of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist congregations, according to the records kept by the respective churches, thus differing with the interim period where membership in 1820 ranged from minimal increase to actual net loss in those locally preeminent 3 sects, In fact Joseph Smith's contradictions of his own narrative, statements and Revelations reflect the inconsistency of a fabricated story, even before we get to the evidence that his Apostles and family,who obviously never heard of such an event as what we call the first vision, in which the characters of God the Father and Jesus Christ are represented to have appeared to a 14 year old boy on the occasion of his first attempt to pray vocally, as he is stated to have claimed, in the Joseph Smith history section, of the Pearl of Great Price.
As far as contradicting the word of God goes, we only need turn to the scriptures as revealed to Joseph Smith in order to see the following verse from Doctrine and Covenants section 84 verses 21 and 22, stating,” And without the ordinances thereof and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is NOT manifest unto men in the flesh, 22 : for without this, NO Man Can See the face of God, even the Father, and Live.” ....
Then again Joseph graced us with this revelation at the fall Equinox of 1832, long before he apparently decided he had had a vision with this adaptation of the Israelite God the Father and the Roman commissioned New Testament Gospels Character called Jesus Christ as separate and distinct individuals.
This story first appears to have been written in 1838, but not published until 1842 in church periodicals.
Additionally we see that such information also seems to have not been noticed by Joseph's Associates in the Quorum of The Twelve either, as we will see in multiple statements made by Apostles and Presidents of the church who emphatically stated that Joseph Smith was visited by an Angel, rather than a God, in the answer to his prayers, as to which church he should associate with.
Historical documentation relative to the first vision claims, also include not only Joseph Smith slipping up and mentioning his little sister having been born a couple of years prior to their moving to Manchester, who we know was born in the summer of 1821 thus precluding Joseph managing to have such an experience before 1823 in this location, but also the confirmation of tax records corresponding to an 1822 move incurring road taxes, and real property tax assessment in 1823 indicating the building of a home on their newly acquired 100 acre in Manchester, property.
Brigham Young stated regarding Joseph's initial revelatory claim, that the Lord Did NOT Come with the armies of Heaven…. but he Did send his ANGEL to this same obscure person Joseph Smith Jr, who afterwards became a prophet Seer and Revelator, and informed him that he should not join any of the religious sects of the day, for they were all wrong. Reference, Journal of discourses volume 2 1855 page 171.
Later in life we again have Brigham Young speaking on the matter, where he starts with the question," Do we believe that the Lord sent his Messengers to Joseph Smith, and commanded him to refrain from joining any Christian church, and to refrain from the wickedness he saw in the churches, and finally delivered to him a message informing him that the Lord was about to establish his kingdom on the earth, and let him on step by step until he gave him the Revelation concerning the plates? Yes, this is all correct." Reference Brigham Young 1874 Journal of discourses volume 18 page 239.
John Taylor stated, “How was it and which was right?
None of them was right, just as it was when the Prophet Joseph asked the angel which of the sects was right, that he might join it. The answer was that none of them are right.
What none of them? No we will not stop to argue that question, the angel merely told him to join none of them that none of them were right."
Reference, Journal of discourses 1879 Vol 20 Pages 158 171
Wilford Woodruff stated, "The same organization and gospel that Christ died for... is again established in this generation. How did it come? By the ministering of an Holy Angel from God out of Heaven, who held converse with man, and revealed unto him the darkness that enveloped the world... He told him the gospel was not among men, and that there was not a true organization of his kingdom in the world... Joseph was strengthened by the spirit and power of God, and wasn't able to listen to the teachings of the Angel... The man to whom the angel appeared obey.
Gospel reference, Journal of Discourses, Volume 2, 1855, Pages 196 and 197
Apostle Heber C Kimball said, ” Do you suppose that God in person called upon Joseph Smith, our prophet? God called upon him, but God did NOT Come Himself and call, but he sent Peter to do it. Do you not see? He sent Peter and sent Moroni to Joseph, and told him that he had got the plates.. Reference Heber C Kimball 1857 Journal of discourses volume 6 page 29.
Orson Pratt stated, quote,” by and by an obscure individual, a young man, rose up, in the midst of all Christendom, proclaimed the startling news that God had sent an Angel to him, This young man, some four years afterwards was visited Again by a Holy Angel.
Reference Orson Pratt 1869 Journal of Discourses, Volume 13 Pages 65 and 66.
Apostle George A Smith said of Joseph Smith that, "He went humbly before the Lord and inquired of him, and the Lord answered his prayer and revealed to Joseph by the ministration of Angels, the true condition of the religious world. When the Holy ANGEL appeared, Joseph inquired which of all the denominations was right and which he should join, and was told they were all wrong."
Reference, President George A Smith Journal of discourses 1863 volume 12 page 334.
As Joseph Smith tried to move the new version of the first vision dictated in 1838 back to 1820, as An Occurrence predating his well-publicized 1823 claims regarding guidance from the spiritual world in locating Golden Plates in the Hill Cumorah, he also placed known events anachronistic to their actual occurrence within his narrative, such as members of his family joining the Presbyterian faith, which he states in the canonized Joseph Smith history was previous to this 1st Vision now claimed to be in 1820,
Yet
it is Well documented that his family joined after the death of Alvin which occurred November 23rd of 1823.
WE also have testimonies from family members including his brother William editorializing up on why Joseph Smith Senior would not join the Presbyterian Church due to his dislike of the Presbyterian Minister for inferring at Alvin's funeral which he officiated that Alvin would be damned to hell since he was not a baptized Christian, or words to that effect, which of course places us after Alvin's 1823 death in our narrative.
When we look at the multiple testimonies of Joseph's younger brother William Smith given over his lifetime, he generally places Joseph interest in religion kindling around 1823, in which he states that Joseph was considered to be a "hopeful convert"," trying to get religion," although historical records show 1824 and 1825 as corroborating religious revivals in the area and even making William’s testimony appear to be a year or so earlier than possible, we however in no case fine William ever supporting an 1820 occasion for Joseph Smith even beginning to seek religion much less having the vision written in 1838 describing his father and son visitation which he apparently manages to survive despite the word of the Lord stating that was impossible in his 1832 revelation of section 84.
The facts when reviewed, are so self-evident that even professor of history at Brigham Young University Marvin S. Hill, has stated that during the revivals of 1824 is where Lucy Mack appeared to have joined the Presbyterian Church and where he also states that she remained an active member until the year 1828, as recorded in the first Vision controversy published in Dialogue a Journal of Mormon thought.
Does The First Vision survive the fact-checking of LDS history?
Let's see.
When we review Joseph Smith's statements
or those of his family and Associates,
We find known recorded events which we can fact check as a gauge of his honesty, accuracy and consistency, such as the death of his brother Alvin in late 1823, which in fact was the impetus for the Smith Family search for solace in Religion, entering the time period of the well documented Christian revivals which were held in the Manchester & Palmyra area, as published in their local newspapers for the years 1824 + 1825, which unlike the years intervening between the 1816 & 1817 revivals, showed historical fingerprints in the local newspapers & other publications as well as consistency in the corresponding expected increases in membership associated with these revivals in the various local denominations of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist congregations, according to the records kept by the respective churches, thus differing with the interim period where membership in 1820 ranged from minimal increase to actual net loss in those locally preeminent 3 sects, In fact Joseph Smith's contradictions of his own narrative, statements and Revelations reflect the inconsistency of a fabricated story, even before we get to the evidence that his Apostles and family,who obviously never heard of such an event as what we call the first vision, in which the characters of God the Father and Jesus Christ are represented to have appeared to a 14 year old boy on the occasion of his first attempt to pray vocally, as he is stated to have claimed, in the Joseph Smith history section, of the Pearl of Great Price.
As far as contradicting the word of God goes, we only need turn to the scriptures as revealed to Joseph Smith in order to see the following verse from Doctrine and Covenants section 84 verses 21 and 22, stating,” And without the ordinances thereof and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is NOT manifest unto men in the flesh, 22 : for without this, NO Man Can See the face of God, even the Father, and Live.” ....
Then again Joseph graced us with this revelation at the fall Equinox of 1832, long before he apparently decided he had had a vision with this adaptation of the Israelite God the Father and the Roman commissioned New Testament Gospels Character called Jesus Christ as separate and distinct individuals.
This story first appears to have been written in 1838, but not published until 1842 in church periodicals.
Additionally we see that such information also seems to have not been noticed by Joseph's Associates in the Quorum of The Twelve either, as we will see in multiple statements made by Apostles and Presidents of the church who emphatically stated that Joseph Smith was visited by an Angel, rather than a God, in the answer to his prayers, as to which church he should associate with.
Historical documentation relative to the first vision claims, also include not only Joseph Smith slipping up and mentioning his little sister having been born a couple of years prior to their moving to Manchester, who we know was born in the summer of 1821 thus precluding Joseph managing to have such an experience before 1823 in this location, but also the confirmation of tax records corresponding to an 1822 move incurring road taxes, and real property tax assessment in 1823 indicating the building of a home on their newly acquired 100 acre in Manchester, property.
Brigham Young stated regarding Joseph's initial revelatory claim, that the Lord Did NOT Come with the armies of Heaven…. but he Did send his ANGEL to this same obscure person Joseph Smith Jr, who afterwards became a prophet Seer and Revelator, and informed him that he should not join any of the religious sects of the day, for they were all wrong. Reference, Journal of discourses volume 2 1855 page 171.
Later in life we again have Brigham Young speaking on the matter, where he starts with the question," Do we believe that the Lord sent his Messengers to Joseph Smith, and commanded him to refrain from joining any Christian church, and to refrain from the wickedness he saw in the churches, and finally delivered to him a message informing him that the Lord was about to establish his kingdom on the earth, and let him on step by step until he gave him the Revelation concerning the plates? Yes, this is all correct." Reference Brigham Young 1874 Journal of discourses volume 18 page 239.
John Taylor stated, “How was it and which was right?
None of them was right, just as it was when the Prophet Joseph asked the angel which of the sects was right, that he might join it. The answer was that none of them are right.
What none of them? No we will not stop to argue that question, the angel merely told him to join none of them that none of them were right."
Reference, Journal of discourses 1879 Vol 20 Pages 158 171
Wilford Woodruff stated, "The same organization and gospel that Christ died for... is again established in this generation. How did it come? By the ministering of an Holy Angel from God out of Heaven, who held converse with man, and revealed unto him the darkness that enveloped the world... He told him the gospel was not among men, and that there was not a true organization of his kingdom in the world... Joseph was strengthened by the spirit and power of God, and wasn't able to listen to the teachings of the Angel... The man to whom the angel appeared obey.
Gospel reference, Journal of Discourses, Volume 2, 1855, Pages 196 and 197
Apostle Heber C Kimball said, ” Do you suppose that God in person called upon Joseph Smith, our prophet? God called upon him, but God did NOT Come Himself and call, but he sent Peter to do it. Do you not see? He sent Peter and sent Moroni to Joseph, and told him that he had got the plates.. Reference Heber C Kimball 1857 Journal of discourses volume 6 page 29.
Orson Pratt stated, quote,” by and by an obscure individual, a young man, rose up, in the midst of all Christendom, proclaimed the startling news that God had sent an Angel to him, This young man, some four years afterwards was visited Again by a Holy Angel.
Reference Orson Pratt 1869 Journal of Discourses, Volume 13 Pages 65 and 66.
Apostle George A Smith said of Joseph Smith that, "He went humbly before the Lord and inquired of him, and the Lord answered his prayer and revealed to Joseph by the ministration of Angels, the true condition of the religious world. When the Holy ANGEL appeared, Joseph inquired which of all the denominations was right and which he should join, and was told they were all wrong."
Reference, President George A Smith Journal of discourses 1863 volume 12 page 334.
As Joseph Smith tried to move the new version of the first vision dictated in 1838 back to 1820, as An Occurrence predating his well-publicized 1823 claims regarding guidance from the spiritual world in locating Golden Plates in the Hill Cumorah, he also placed known events anachronistic to their actual occurrence within his narrative, such as members of his family joining the Presbyterian faith, which he states in the canonized Joseph Smith history was previous to this 1st Vision now claimed to be in 1820,
Yet
it is Well documented that his family joined after the death of Alvin which occurred November 23rd of 1823.
WE also have testimonies from family members including his brother William editorializing up on why Joseph Smith Senior would not join the Presbyterian Church due to his dislike of the Presbyterian Minister for inferring at Alvin's funeral which he officiated that Alvin would be damned to hell since he was not a baptized Christian, or words to that effect, which of course places us after Alvin's 1823 death in our narrative.
When we look at the multiple testimonies of Joseph's younger brother William Smith given over his lifetime, he generally places Joseph interest in religion kindling around 1823, in which he states that Joseph was considered to be a "hopeful convert"," trying to get religion," although historical records show 1824 and 1825 as corroborating religious revivals in the area and even making William’s testimony appear to be a year or so earlier than possible, we however in no case fine William ever supporting an 1820 occasion for Joseph Smith even beginning to seek religion much less having the vision written in 1838 describing his father and son visitation which he apparently manages to survive despite the word of the Lord stating that was impossible in his 1832 revelation of section 84.
The facts when reviewed, are so self-evident that even professor of history at Brigham Young University Marvin S. Hill, has stated that during the revivals of 1824 is where Lucy Mack appeared to have joined the Presbyterian Church and where he also states that she remained an active member until the year 1828, as recorded in the first Vision controversy published in Dialogue a Journal of Mormon thought.
William's narrative as reported by Rev. Murdock continues:
About the year 1823, there was a revival of religion in that region, and Joseph was one of several hopeful converts. The others were joining, some one church, and some another, in that vicinity, but Joseph hesitated between the different denominations. While his mind was perplexed with this subject he prayed for divine direction, and afterwards was awakened one night by an extraordinary vision. The glory of the Lord filled the chamber with a dazzling light, and a glorious angel appeared to him and told him that he was a chosen vessel of the Lord to make known true religion. The next day he went into the field, but he was unable to work, his mind being oppressed by the remembrance of the vision. He returned to the house, and soon after sent for his father and brothers from the field; and then, in the presence of the family--my informant one of them--he related all that had occurred. They were astounded, but not altogether incredulous.
William's narrative as reported by Rev. Murdock continues:
After this he had other similar visions, in one of which the existence of certain metallic plates was revealed to him, and their location described--about three miles off, in a pasture ground. The next day he went alone to the spot, and by digging discovered the plates in a sort of rude stone box. They were eight or ten inches long, less in width, about the thickness of panes of glass, and together made a pile of about five or six inches high. They were in a good state of preservation, had the appearance of gold, and bore inscriptions in strange characters on both sides.
In 1822 and 1823, the people in our neighborhood were very much stirred up with regard to religious matters by the preaching of a Mr. Lane, an Elder of the Methodist Church, and celebrated throughout the country as a "great revival preacher."
Then, after a lengthy introduction which is descriptive of the contending factions in the religious revival, he says:
At length he [Joseph Smith] determined to call upon the Lord until he should get a manifestation from him. He accordingly went out into the woods and falling upon his knees called for a long time upon the Lord for wisdom and knowledge. While engaged in prayer a light appeared in the heavens, and descended until it rested upon the trees where he was. It appeared like fire.
But to his great astonishment, did not burn the trees. An angel then appeared to him and conversed with him upon many things. He told him that none of the sects were right; but that if he was faithful in keeping the commandments he should receive, the true way should be made known to him; that his sins were forgiven, etc.
The next day I was at work in the field together with Joseph and my eldest brother Alvin. Joseph looked pale and unwell, so that Alvin told him if he was sick he need not work; he then went and sat down by the fence, when the angel again appeared to him, and told him to call his father's house together and communicate to them the visions he had received, which he had not yet told to any one; and promised him that if he would do so, they would believe it
The third William Smith account is the report of a discourse which he delivered in a church meeting in Deloit, Iowa on June 8, 1884. This account conforms in most specifics with the earlier and longer 1883 account. During his discourse, William related:
It will be remembered that just before the angel appeared to Joseph, there was an unusual revival in the neighborhood. It spread from town to town, from city to city, from county to county, and from state to state. My mother attended those meetings, and being much concerned about the spiritual welfare of the family, she persuaded them to attend the meetings. Finally my mother, one sister, my brothers Samuel, and Hyrum became Presbyterians. Joseph and myself did not join; I had not sown all my wild oats. At the close of these meetings the different ministers began to beat around to see how many converts they could get to join their respective churches. All said, Come and join us, we are right. Where is the gospel of Christ? Where is the church of Christ? There is a lost gospel. There is a lost church. And here let me say, that it was at the suggestion of the Rev. M_____, that my brother asked of God. He said, "Ask of God." It was the church of Christ he was seeking for, what all should seek. God promised to give knowledge to all who lacked, if they would ask. Accordingly he went and bowed in prayer, he saw a pillar of fire descending. Saw it reach the top of the trees. He was overcome, became unconscious, did not know how long he remained in this condition, but when he came to himself, the great light was about him, and he was told by the personage whom he saw descend with the light, not to join any of the churches. That he should be instrumental in the hands of God in establishing the true church of Christ. That there was a record hidden in the hill Cumorah which contained the fullness of the gospel. You should remember Joseph was but about eighteen years old at this time, too young to be a deceiver.
You will recollect that I informed you, in my letter published in the first No. of the Messenger and Advocate, that this history would necessarily embrace the life and character of our esteemed friend and brother, J. Smith Jr. one of the presidents of this church, and for information on that part of the subject, I refer you to his communication of the same, published in this paper. I shall, therefore, pass over that, till I come to the 15th year of his life.
It is necessary to premise this account by relating the situation of the public mind relative to religion, at this time; One Mr. Lane, a presiding Elder of the Methodist church, visited Palmyra, and vicinity. Elder Lane was a talented (sic) man possessing a good share of literary endowments, and apparent humility. There was a great awakening, or excitement raised on the subject of religion, and much enquiry for the word of life. Large additions were made to the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Baptist churches.--Mr. Lane's manner of communication was peculiarly calculated to awaken the intellect of the hearer, and arouse the sinner to look about him for safety--much good instruction was always drawn from his discourses on the scriptures, and in common with others, our brother's mind became awakened.
You will recollect that I mentioned the time of a religious excitement, in Palmyra and vicinity to have been in the 15th year of our Brother J. Smith Jr's, age--that was an error in the type--it should have been in the 17th.--You will please remember this correction, as it will be necessary for the full understanding of what will follow in time. This would bring the date down to the year 1823.
The 1893 account by William Smith was his fourth and final account. It appears as an interview conducted by E. C. Briggs and recorded by J. W. Peterson. The report of the interview was originally printed in Zion's Ensign and later copied into the Deseret News. It is the best known, and the most frequently quoted of William's four accounts. It is also the fountain from which has sprung much of the difficulty in the controversy over the first vision. This last interview took place at Bradtville, Wisconsin, in November of 1893, less than two weeks before William's death at age 82. Although William only responded to questions and did not relate a narrative of the first vision, it is clear that mentally he still superimposed the events of the 1820 first vision and those of the 1823 appearance of the angel Moroni. The pertinent portion of the interview follows:
"Did you not doubt Joseph's testimony sometimes?" asked Brother Briggs.
"No," was the reply by William Smith. "We all had the most implicit confidence in what he said. He was a truthful boy. Father and mother believed him, why should not the children? I suppose if he had told crooked stories about other things we might have doubted his word about the plates, but Joseph was a truthful boy. That father and mother believed his report and suffered persecution for that belief shows that he was truthful. No, sir, we never doubted his word for one minute."
"Were your folks religiously inclined before Joseph saw the angel?" asked Brother Briggs.
"Yes, we always had family prayers since I can remember.
"Hyrum, Samuel, Katherine, and Mother were members of the Presbyterian Church. My father would not join. He did not like it because a Rev. Stockton had preached my brother's funeral sermon and intimated very strongly that he had gone to hell, for Alvin was not a church member, but he was a good boy, and my father did not like it."
"What caused Joseph to ask for guidance as to what church he ought to join?" asked Brother Briggs.
"Why, there was a joint revival," was the reply, "in the neighborhood between the Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians, and they had succeeded in stirring up quite a feeling and after the meeting the question arose which church should have the converts. Rev. Stockton was the president of the meeting and suggested that it was their meeting and under their care, and they had a church there and they ought to join the Presbyterians, but as father did not like Rev. Stockton very well, our folks hesitated and the next evening a Rev. Mr. Lane of the Methodists preached a sermon on `what church shall I join,' and the burden of his discourses was to ask God, using as a text, `If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally.' And of course when Joseph went home and was looking over the text, he was impressed to do just what the preacher had said, and going out in the woods with childlike, simple trusting faith, believing that God meant just what he said, he knelt down and prayed; and the time having come for the reorganization of His Church, God was pleased to show him that he should join none of these churches, but if faithful he should be chosen to establish the true Church."
About the year 1823, there was a revival of religion in that region, and Joseph was one of several hopeful converts. The others were joining, some one church, and some another, in that vicinity, but Joseph hesitated between the different denominations. While his mind was perplexed with this subject he prayed for divine direction, and afterwards was awakened one night by an extraordinary vision. The glory of the Lord filled the chamber with a dazzling light, and a glorious angel appeared to him and told him that he was a chosen vessel of the Lord to make known true religion. The next day he went into the field, but he was unable to work, his mind being oppressed by the remembrance of the vision. He returned to the house, and soon after sent for his father and brothers from the field; and then, in the presence of the family--my informant one of them--he related all that had occurred. They were astounded, but not altogether incredulous.
William's narrative as reported by Rev. Murdock continues:
After this he had other similar visions, in one of which the existence of certain metallic plates was revealed to him, and their location described--about three miles off, in a pasture ground. The next day he went alone to the spot, and by digging discovered the plates in a sort of rude stone box. They were eight or ten inches long, less in width, about the thickness of panes of glass, and together made a pile of about five or six inches high. They were in a good state of preservation, had the appearance of gold, and bore inscriptions in strange characters on both sides.
In 1822 and 1823, the people in our neighborhood were very much stirred up with regard to religious matters by the preaching of a Mr. Lane, an Elder of the Methodist Church, and celebrated throughout the country as a "great revival preacher."
Then, after a lengthy introduction which is descriptive of the contending factions in the religious revival, he says:
At length he [Joseph Smith] determined to call upon the Lord until he should get a manifestation from him. He accordingly went out into the woods and falling upon his knees called for a long time upon the Lord for wisdom and knowledge. While engaged in prayer a light appeared in the heavens, and descended until it rested upon the trees where he was. It appeared like fire.
But to his great astonishment, did not burn the trees. An angel then appeared to him and conversed with him upon many things. He told him that none of the sects were right; but that if he was faithful in keeping the commandments he should receive, the true way should be made known to him; that his sins were forgiven, etc.
The next day I was at work in the field together with Joseph and my eldest brother Alvin. Joseph looked pale and unwell, so that Alvin told him if he was sick he need not work; he then went and sat down by the fence, when the angel again appeared to him, and told him to call his father's house together and communicate to them the visions he had received, which he had not yet told to any one; and promised him that if he would do so, they would believe it
The third William Smith account is the report of a discourse which he delivered in a church meeting in Deloit, Iowa on June 8, 1884. This account conforms in most specifics with the earlier and longer 1883 account. During his discourse, William related:
It will be remembered that just before the angel appeared to Joseph, there was an unusual revival in the neighborhood. It spread from town to town, from city to city, from county to county, and from state to state. My mother attended those meetings, and being much concerned about the spiritual welfare of the family, she persuaded them to attend the meetings. Finally my mother, one sister, my brothers Samuel, and Hyrum became Presbyterians. Joseph and myself did not join; I had not sown all my wild oats. At the close of these meetings the different ministers began to beat around to see how many converts they could get to join their respective churches. All said, Come and join us, we are right. Where is the gospel of Christ? Where is the church of Christ? There is a lost gospel. There is a lost church. And here let me say, that it was at the suggestion of the Rev. M_____, that my brother asked of God. He said, "Ask of God." It was the church of Christ he was seeking for, what all should seek. God promised to give knowledge to all who lacked, if they would ask. Accordingly he went and bowed in prayer, he saw a pillar of fire descending. Saw it reach the top of the trees. He was overcome, became unconscious, did not know how long he remained in this condition, but when he came to himself, the great light was about him, and he was told by the personage whom he saw descend with the light, not to join any of the churches. That he should be instrumental in the hands of God in establishing the true church of Christ. That there was a record hidden in the hill Cumorah which contained the fullness of the gospel. You should remember Joseph was but about eighteen years old at this time, too young to be a deceiver.
You will recollect that I informed you, in my letter published in the first No. of the Messenger and Advocate, that this history would necessarily embrace the life and character of our esteemed friend and brother, J. Smith Jr. one of the presidents of this church, and for information on that part of the subject, I refer you to his communication of the same, published in this paper. I shall, therefore, pass over that, till I come to the 15th year of his life.
It is necessary to premise this account by relating the situation of the public mind relative to religion, at this time; One Mr. Lane, a presiding Elder of the Methodist church, visited Palmyra, and vicinity. Elder Lane was a talented (sic) man possessing a good share of literary endowments, and apparent humility. There was a great awakening, or excitement raised on the subject of religion, and much enquiry for the word of life. Large additions were made to the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Baptist churches.--Mr. Lane's manner of communication was peculiarly calculated to awaken the intellect of the hearer, and arouse the sinner to look about him for safety--much good instruction was always drawn from his discourses on the scriptures, and in common with others, our brother's mind became awakened.
You will recollect that I mentioned the time of a religious excitement, in Palmyra and vicinity to have been in the 15th year of our Brother J. Smith Jr's, age--that was an error in the type--it should have been in the 17th.--You will please remember this correction, as it will be necessary for the full understanding of what will follow in time. This would bring the date down to the year 1823.
The 1893 account by William Smith was his fourth and final account. It appears as an interview conducted by E. C. Briggs and recorded by J. W. Peterson. The report of the interview was originally printed in Zion's Ensign and later copied into the Deseret News. It is the best known, and the most frequently quoted of William's four accounts. It is also the fountain from which has sprung much of the difficulty in the controversy over the first vision. This last interview took place at Bradtville, Wisconsin, in November of 1893, less than two weeks before William's death at age 82. Although William only responded to questions and did not relate a narrative of the first vision, it is clear that mentally he still superimposed the events of the 1820 first vision and those of the 1823 appearance of the angel Moroni. The pertinent portion of the interview follows:
"Did you not doubt Joseph's testimony sometimes?" asked Brother Briggs.
"No," was the reply by William Smith. "We all had the most implicit confidence in what he said. He was a truthful boy. Father and mother believed him, why should not the children? I suppose if he had told crooked stories about other things we might have doubted his word about the plates, but Joseph was a truthful boy. That father and mother believed his report and suffered persecution for that belief shows that he was truthful. No, sir, we never doubted his word for one minute."
"Were your folks religiously inclined before Joseph saw the angel?" asked Brother Briggs.
"Yes, we always had family prayers since I can remember.
"Hyrum, Samuel, Katherine, and Mother were members of the Presbyterian Church. My father would not join. He did not like it because a Rev. Stockton had preached my brother's funeral sermon and intimated very strongly that he had gone to hell, for Alvin was not a church member, but he was a good boy, and my father did not like it."
"What caused Joseph to ask for guidance as to what church he ought to join?" asked Brother Briggs.
"Why, there was a joint revival," was the reply, "in the neighborhood between the Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians, and they had succeeded in stirring up quite a feeling and after the meeting the question arose which church should have the converts. Rev. Stockton was the president of the meeting and suggested that it was their meeting and under their care, and they had a church there and they ought to join the Presbyterians, but as father did not like Rev. Stockton very well, our folks hesitated and the next evening a Rev. Mr. Lane of the Methodists preached a sermon on `what church shall I join,' and the burden of his discourses was to ask God, using as a text, `If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally.' And of course when Joseph went home and was looking over the text, he was impressed to do just what the preacher had said, and going out in the woods with childlike, simple trusting faith, believing that God meant just what he said, he knelt down and prayed; and the time having come for the reorganization of His Church, God was pleased to show him that he should join none of these churches, but if faithful he should be chosen to establish the true Church."